Summary
- Google Gemini Extensions have been renamed “Apps,” although the core functionality remains unchanged.
- Separately, apps/extensions are now powered by the Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking model for better reasoning capabilities and performance.
- Google is also rolling out an update to the Sheets app on the web with new table formatting options.
Extensions in Google Gemini are a handy way to pull up relevant information from your favorite apps and services. Although there aren’t a lot of extensions you can pick right now, the list includes the suite of Google Workspace apps, including Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and others, in addition to third-party offerings like WhatsApp and Spotify. If you’ve been trying to access the Extensions menu in the Google Gemini mobile or web apps over the past few days, you’ll notice that the menu has been renamed to Apps. Google has now made this change official.
Related
5 best Google Gemini extensions to help supercharge your productivity
Newest Gemini extensions take a step in the right direction
In its weekly Workspace Updates blog, the company noted how extensions in Gemini will be known as “apps.” Google clarifies that this change will not affect the functionality, so it shouldn’t impact end users too much. However, there will likely be some initial confusion when users can’t locate Gemini extensions.
The change is live across Gemini on Android, iOS, and the web. It was first discovered earlier in the week by 9to5Google, so all we were waiting for was official confirmation from Google. A support page that previously mentioned extensions has also been updated to reflect the renaming.
As we know by now, Google is no stranger to name changes or rebrands. The AI assistant was initially known as Bard, only to be renamed Gemini in February last year.
Apps/Extensions are now powered by Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking
Along with the renaming of extensions, Google also said apps will now be powered by the experimental Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking, the company’s enhanced reasoning model. Google says it will offer “improved performance and better advanced reasoning capabilities,” which should mean good news for people who rely on these apps/extensions in Gemini. The changes should be available to both free users of Gemini and those with access to Gemini Advanced.
Meanwhile, the Workspace blog also mentions a Google Sheets update that brings a table formatting sub menu to show or hide table gridlines, alternating colors, condensed view, and the table footer options. This makes all the essential formatting options available in one place, thus saving users a few clicks.
